Atlanta Falcons: Will Jimmy Graham be on the team’s radar in free agency?

The Atlanta Falcons have some options to consider in free agency this offseason, but will Jimmy Graham actually be at the top of the team’s wish-list?

The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2017 season believing they were in pretty good shape at tight end with Austin Hooper, Levine Toilolo and Eric Saubert. However, with a drop in production from that group, people around the league believe the team could be looking for help come free agency.

While that may or may not be true, there are some great options the Falcons front-office could potentially consider in the 2018 NFL Draft. Still, there is one big-name free agent that is becoming one of the more enticing picks to wind up in Atlanta.

Take a look at what Mike Florio, from Pro Football Talk, said about the possibility of the Falcons adding Jimmy Graham for the 2018 season: 

"Jimmy Graham likely wont be re-signing with the Seahawks, given the completion of the four-year, $40 million deal that Seattle inherited via a surprise trade with the Saints from three years ago.So why not match the Falcons and Graham? It would bring him back to the NFC South, and it would immediately make him a key member of the biggest rivals of his original team.One important factor in this potential pairing would be whatever Seahawks coach Pete Carroll would have to say privately to Falcons coach Dan Quinn and Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, both of whom previously worked for Carroll. Maligned at times for his lack of blocking skills or desires, that’s not, never has been, and never will be Graham’s gig."

While brining in Graham would definitely be exciting for fans of the Dirty Birds, I just don’t see it being a good fit for either sides. Since Dan Quinn has been the Falcons head coach, Atlanta’s front office has looked for tight ends who will put their bodies on the line to block for Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.

Sure, it would be awesome for the Falcons to have a reliable red-zone target like the former Seattle Seahawks tight end, but at what cost do you bring him? We know he’s not a player who enjoys run blocking, so why spend money on someone who doesn’t fit within what the team is trying to do offensively?

It’s one thing to spend a good amount of cash on someone who can play all three downs, but again, Graham won’t be that type of player for Atlanta.

Next: Atlanta Falcons: 5 Offseason moves the team needs to make

Instead, if the Falcons front-office does feel as though they need to upgrade their tight-end position, the 2018 NFL Draft is a better option. Not only will you be saving money by not breaking-the-bank for someone like Graham, but Atlanta’s coaching staff will be able to have them buy into the team’s culture from day-one.